MHMC- Commercial Template Doc Size 11.25” X 14” Image Area 10.375 x 11.75 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 9 Al Golden’s record in his four-season SPORTS 28-22 career at UM GOLDEN FROM COVER Twitter hashtag demonstrates coach controversy Most of the fans using this hashtag disagree with Golden’s choices for the coaching staff and A LOOK BACK AT are dissatisfied with the team’s “#FIREALGOLDEN” performance on the field. TWEETS “Especially with this sea- son, I think one can easily point to poor decision-making by the coaching staff as the main reason Just Golden’s mere for the team’s struggles,” sopho- presence via the more James Newlin said. scoreboard, is cauing Angry about the outcome the basketball team to of the recent bowl game against suck. #FireAlGolden South Carolina, Newlin himself @87FireCane posted a tweet using the hashtag. He says he did so because that loss was upsetting for him. “We can never truly know January 2015 what’s going on inside the foot- ball team; I think the easiest way for fans to express their frustra- Larry Coker got the axe tion is to blame it on the coach,” FILE PHOTO aft er going 60-15 with Newlin said. FEAR THE TIE: Al Golden watches the football team warm up at Doak Campbell Stadium before the game Back in 2010, however, it against FSU on Nov. 2 2013. The 2013 season proved to be the peak of Golden’s career at UM to date. 1 season of less than 9 seemed that Miami’s 22nd head wins. Al Golden? 28-21 with two 6-6 seasons. football coach’s future would be The subsequent NCAA in- son as Golden’s 2013 peak. Shan- The hashtag was first used It’s time. #FireAlGolden golden. In his previous tenure at vestigation hurt recruitment and non was terminated a year later. in 2010 shortly after Golden was @lurkmenowdad Philadelphia’s Temple University, resulted in the removal of some Among the other grievances, hired. It then popped up again he led the team to an 8-4 overall scholarships in Golden’s first two the similarity to Shannon’s record in the 2011 season and has been record, an improvement over its seasons with UM. Despite the has prompted some fans to ques- used since. previous record of having only NCAA investigation, this did not tion Golden’s performance. When games were lost or two winning seasons in 26 years. hurt Golden’s ability to garner “I think the fans are tired of did not go as expected, fans took November 2013 Despite backlash from fans, notable recruits, such as running being mediocre,” said Gerry Cou- to Twitter, calling for the coach’s Golden has been recognized for back Duke Johnson and quarter- zo, who has been attending UM termination. Throughout the his performance. In 2013, he re- back Brad Kaaya. Johnson recent- football games since 1990, when 2014 season, plane banners with ceived the Lombardi Award for ly decided to enter the 2015 NFL his parents worked for the Miller the phrase printed on them were Al Golden has done Excellence in Coaching, which draft, and Kaaya was named School of Medicine. purchased and flown around Sun a lot more talking came at the heels of a 9-4 sea- ACC Rookie of the Year in 2014. “It’s sad that we haven’t Life Stadium before games. than actual coaching son that was on track to lead the Nevertheless, Johnson and won a bowl game since 2006. … Picket signs with “#FireAl- #FireAlGolden Hurricanes to their first division Kaaya could not carry the team It’s also frustrating to see talent Golden” written on them were @Betterduck title, only to be stopped by Florida and prevent the outcome of the brought into this team year in and even seen on national television State University during confer- Duck Commander Independence year out, flourish in the NFL but during ESPN’s coverage of the ence play. Bowl held in December 2014. Un- doing okay here at the U,” Couzo national championship game held That season, Golden also der Golden, the team has an over- said. in Dallas, Texas on Jan. 12. September 2011 coached the Hurricanes to a spot all record of 28-22 and are 16-16 It’s sentiments like these that Discontent for Golden also in the Russell Athletic Bowl in in the ACC. drive fans to social media to voice made its way to the basketball Follow us on Twitter at Orlando. This was Miami’s first Former Hurricanes Head their concerns. Though the “Fi- @MiamiHurricane and court. look for our #TMHtweetup bowl appearance since 2010 after Coach Randy Shannon held the reAlGolden” hashtag has gained question with answers the Nevin Shapiro ponzi scheme same record during the 2009 sea- popularity this season, it is not featured in print scandal. new. every Thursday. SEE GOLDEN, PAGE 9 January 22 - January 25, 2015 THE MIAMI HURRICANE SPORTS 9.